Team Shimano takes World Carp Masters at first attempt

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Frank Wijnands (left) and Jan-Jaap Hiemstra hold the World Carp Masters trophy aloft following their victory in France last week.

↑ Team Shimano – World Carp Masters Champions at the first time of asking. From left Frank Wijnands, Gabriele Ceruti and Jan-Jaap Hiemstra.

Shimano’s rods and reels – paired with braided line from its Power Pro brand – proved to be a winning combination at last week’s Carp Masters 2017 tournament in France.

Team Shimano – competing in the event for the very first time – topped the 68-man, teams-of-two event to bag the top pay-out of £25,000 (GBP) with seven carp for a total weight of 77kg. Successful tackle included Shimano’s TX 5 rods, Big Baitrunner C14+ XT-B LC and Aero Technium XT-B reels and Power Pro braided line.

The Netherlands-based Team Shimano consisted of Frank Wijnands and Jan-Jaap Hiemstra, aided by runner, Gabriele Ceruti. Second place at the event – fished on Lac De Der – was the Sticky Baits team from England, made up of Dan and Jake Wilbore. They brought four fish to the scales for a total of 48.90kg.

Third place went to Polish pairing, Jaroslaw Gulej and Robert Budzinskif, with 45kg. They won the prize on a tie breaker after taking the same weight as the Sonik Sports team of Rod Bird and Jason Webb.

Wijnands said: “The last night of the competition was one big thrill and we didn’t even dare watch the scoreboard. We are over the moon with this victory. It is a dream come true.”